Creamy Beef and Shells Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Beef and Shells pasta is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender pasta shells coated in a rich, cheesy beef sauce. Made with savory ground beef, aromatic spices, and a creamy blend of tomato sauce and heavy cream, this recipe comes together quickly for a satisfying weeknight meal that serves eight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
Beef and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef stock
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it, until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat and set the beef aside.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and mustard powder. Cook for approximately 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Make Roux: Whisk in the flour and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute, to thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Gradually whisk in the beef stock and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until reduced and slightly thickened, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Combine Pasta and Beef: Stir in the cooked pasta, browned beef, and heavy cream into the skillet. Heat through to combine all flavors.
- Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the creamy beef and shells pasta warm and enjoy this comforting meal.
Notes
- To save time, use pre-cooked or leftover pasta.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Adding a handful of fresh spinach or peas can increase the veggie content.
- Grate your own cheddar cheese for better melting and flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: creamy pasta, beef pasta, cheesy pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, pasta shells, ground beef recipe
Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/creamy-beef-and-shells-pasta-recipe/